Marine vessel



e roy 2, n 3 e l o no n I 5r E M www m w T s S M 9 E v M m am R M d M e w n F K IIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIII Illll lllll U -rlb w TAJJW J .I 1i--. .l! nwljww --.L -i.- r....... TH..... ?zU 1 f3-1 b an 1 ,rmw Hl .wwllllw- Lhlllldw. n h Hnuiu v. ffl m -1 Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES WILLIAM R. MESTICE, F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MARINE vEssEL Applicationv filed October 9, 1928. Serial No. 311,359.

ing an application of my invention, andA shows in dotted outline in connection therewith a surface type of craft with complete `substructure for navigable and salva-ge purposes. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 of the submarine shown in Fig. 1.

The submarine structure is preferably divided longitudinally and horizontally by the 2o separating bulkhead or deck 3, which may if desired extend entirely from bow to stern as shown. This divides the outer shell 4, 5 into a complete superstructure and substructure each of which is preferably provided with a full equipment and machinery for separate and individual control. 5 indicates part of the mechanism in the superstructure and 6 similar mechanism in the substructure. The propeller 7 is driven by the power plant in the superstructure 4 and the propeller 8 being similarly operable by the power plant in the substructure 5. Each of these structures is of course preferably provided with the usual bulkheads, water tight compartments, ballast tanks, pumping equipment and other mechanism desirable in connection with a ship of the class described.

9 indicates a chamber provided with a door 10 or hatchway 11 or both, hermetic-ally sealed so that 1n the event of injury to the upper submarine 4 by a shell from a battleship or otherwise, rendering the same partial or wholly useless, the men can enter the "eh'amber 9, securely and hermetically locking the door or hatchway 11 after them passing down by vway of the ladder 12 to the lower compartment 13 from which they may pass by way of the water tight door 14 and down the steps 15 to thelower submarine 5.

Should serious injury happen to the lower submarine 5, the crew can ascend to the chamber 13 securely fastening the hermetical cloj sure 14 and by passing up the ladder l2 enter the chamber 9 by the door 10 or hatchway 11, enter the upper submarine 4. Thus two complete submarine structures may be combine'd in one craft, either of which is adapted to take care of both in the event of serious inury to either of them. Should it be desired to gain speed in the handling of such craft. both equipments may be used simultaneously.

Where the substructure is to be used in contion with a surface type of craft, such as the battleship 16, shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1, the same is of course preferably built below the keel line thereof sol that in the event ofv serious injury to the surface craft, the crew therefrom and passengers, if necessary, may pass from the surface craft to the sub craft by means of intercommunicating chambers, such as 9, 13.`

Matters of. displacement and details of design as well as many other problems well known to marine architects and designers will of course be adjusted and regulated according to established practice and existing knowledge. Naturally such a craft will involve greater displacement and greater cost, especially as substantially an entire duplication of equipment may be necessary. The great saving in the salvaging of such craft however, both in life and property establishes the importance of such form of construction especially in connection with the navy, where a submarine meeting with an accident practically remains under sea too long to save life before effective assistance can be brought into action. A submarine or surface craft constructed in this manner even though defeated in battle while at the surface may still escape and the property and lives of those remaining may be saved, and the same equally applies in case the damage is done to the substructure.

Of course Vit will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

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I Claim:-

l. In combination, surface and sub-surface marine vessels, said sub-surface vessel secured below and extending the entire length of the keel of said surface vessel, and means for releasing and separately operating said vessels.

2. In combination, surface and sub-surface marine vessels, said sub-surface vessel secured below and extending the entire length of the keel of said surface vessel, and means for releasing and separately operating said vessels, the upper part of said subsurface vessel constituting the lower part of said surface vessel when the saine are joined.

3. In combination, surface and sub-surface marine vessels, said subsurface Vessel secured below and extending the entire length of the keel of said surface vessel, and means for releasing and separately operating said vessels, the upper part of said sub-surface vessel constitutingr the lower part of said surfaee vessel when the saule are joined, and means for ,passing to and from said vessels.

fl. In combination, surface and sub-surface marine Vessels, said sub-surfaee vessel seeured below and extending the entire length of the keel of said surface vessel, and means for releasing and separately operating said vessels, said surface vessel having a flat bottom whieh when joind with said sub-surface vessel constitutes the nieridian of the latter.

5. In a vessel of the Class deseriber, a conventional type of sub-marine divisible longitudinally, anda surface super-structure in Combination with the upper half thereof, the upper and lower portions of said sub-structure completely equipped and separately operative, and in combination therewith, means for passing from one to the other when joined.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

WILLIAM R. MESTICE. 

